President Nikos Christodoulides on Friday welcomed Norway’s decision to open applications for the export of defence-related and dual-use military material to Cyprus, describing it as “an important step towards strengthening bilateral defence cooperation”.
“I warmly welcome Norway’s decision, conveyed today by Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, to open applications for the export of defence-related and dual-use military equipment to Cyprus,” the President said in a post on X. “A significant step in reinforcing our bilateral defence cooperation between Cyprus and Norway.”
According to a government source, Norway is lifting its arms embargo on Cyprus after 65 years.
Cyprus a 'reliable partner'
The decision was officially communicated to President Christodoulides during a telephone conversation with Foreign Minister Eide. The same source noted that the lifting of the embargo, in place since 1959, marks a development of “particular political and diplomatic significance”, ending a restrictive policy that had remained in force for more than six decades.
The original embargo formed part of Norway’s broader policy not to export arms to countries experiencing war, threats of war, or internal conflict.
“The Norwegian Government’s decision to revise its framework for the export of defence equipment to Cyprus is a recognition of the Republic of Cyprus as a reliable partner and a contributor to security in the Eastern Mediterranean,” the source added.
Stability in the region
They further noted that this outcome was the result of coordinated diplomatic efforts and sustained dialogue between Nicosia and Oslo, aimed at restoring equal treatment for Cyprus within the context of European and transatlantic cooperation.
This development is expected to further enhance bilateral cooperation not only in the field of defence, but also in broader efforts to promote stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean, where Cyprus and Norway already collaborate on energy and environmental issues as part of their European and international engagement.